Newbie wetsuit question

[jacket_fan]

I have been reading a number of posts on this board. Sure wish I had started sooner. Great information for newbies.

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It seems if folks recommend renting before buying. I am in about $3k to my LDS, so I should feel good about supporting his business. We purchased used regulators and BCs for my son and I. Also, bought two console computers. (Taking the SDI course).

We are taking our checkout dives next month in the John Pennekamp Marine Sanctuary in the keys. I understand the water temp should be around 75 degrees. Wetsuits in my opinion are a requirement.

Which leads me to my question(s).

What do you guys recommend for wet suits? I know the LDS wants me to buy some wetsuits, but I would prefer to rent, especially for my 12 year old who grows by the minute. Does anyone rent wetsuits? I know the LDS had used wetsuits on sale a while back. He now states that they have all been sold.

I have also seen what look like “Dive hats” and also hoods.

The bulk of the dives I plan on doing will be in the Caribbean.

What would you do about wetsuits?

7mm vs 5mm?

Rent or buy?

How much to pay?

A decent brand?

Any recommendations are appreciated.

 

[dutch-scuba-kid]

You said 75 degrees. That's warm enough. For you I would surely suggest a 5 mm wetsuit. It's not cold at all. But mostly 12 year olds don't have too much fat on their bones, so he MIGHT feel a bit chilly. I'd consider a 7 mm for him.
And as you said... your son is still growing. So for now rentals will do for him I think. Buying a new wetsuit every 6 months can be rather expensive.
I wouldn't know about rental costs.
I use a Scubapro myself (I think ), but there are plenty of good brands out there.

Ramon

(sorry, I can only help you with the "obvious" stuff )

 

[mattengstrom]

Wetsuits certainly CAN be rented, although the thought of renting a wetsuit gives some people the heebie-jeebies. Buying something off of e-bay is another option that's going to be less expensive for the teenager than buying new.

Thickness preferences will vary greatly, depending on who you talk to. I was in the Carib last winter, and the water temp was 79. People were diving in everything from just a swimsuit, on up to a full 3MM wetsuit. 75 is probably a little bit too cold for just swimtrunks, IMHO. A 3MM suit will probably be your best bet.

Wetsuits hoods are available, and the add a LOT to the warmth of a suit. Most of your heat loss is through your head so if you find yourself getting cold in a 3MM, add a hood and you'll probably be OK.

Lots of different brands to choose from. Henderson's seem to be really popular here. My suit is an O'Neill - VERY durable.

Hope that helps, and welcome to the great debate...er fight...er discussion here on the board!

 

[Marcos]

Hello and welcome to the wonderful world of scuba. If you're doing all warm water diving (70 degrees and above) by yourself a good quality full 3mm wet suit. Maybe throw in a set of gloves and a hood too. Gloves will keep your hands warm and protect them as well from reefs, anchor lines, or any hungry freinds you make underwater. A hood is nice to have for night dives or if you just want to be a little warmer. I have a 7mm and a 3mm Henderson wet suit. Henderson is good quality and I give that brand the nod. I would buy for yourself and then continue to rent for the wee ones until they're done growing. If you're going to be diving often I would recommend buying your own equipment. It's more reliable having your own equipment, plus rentals will eventually add up to the cost of the gear anyway. Don't buy used wet suits, wet suits lose their thermal and bouyancy properties over time due to the constant compresssion and expansion they experience everytime you dive. Plus they're not that expensive anyway. I've seen ones for as low as $80 on the internet, but I question the quality and/or durability. I got a full Henderson 7mm farmer john for $200 and I got a Henderson full 3mm for $140. I use the 7mm with hood and glove plus a cheater vest for my wreck diving in the North Atlantic where temps go as low as 50 F (Hopefully I'll be able to afford a dry suit for this season.) Buy the full 3mm, it's a versitle suit for Florida and the Carribean and you get a lot of use out it. Good luck on your OW dives, you'll soon be hooked just like me )

 

[saintsfan]

nothing wrong with renting a wet suit,especially for a 12 year old.i am in the same predicament,they just grow too fast.you need a wet suit to fit properly so you cant get it a little large especially in 55deg water so you would be buying a new wetsuit every 6 -9 months.I have one for myself but will rent for my son. good luck

 

[DandyDon]

How much a person gets chilled varies a lot, even with the same diver at different times, but most adults would do fine in 70+ F water in a 3 mil. I prefer to dive in a suit that no one else has ever peed in, and name brands start at around $150; Water World Sports there in Key Largo has a new brand for $80.

For the growing kiddo, though, count on the rented suit being washed by a reputable operator before rerenting, then - maybe rinse it in the rinse tub before putting it on him.

Gloves are good idea if you're diving wrecks, but if you're newbies, you'll be diving nice reefs, and gloves are not allowed - as you are not allowed to touch anything.

And if you end up with a half dozen suits diver, that happens; it happened to me. :alien:

have fun, don

 

[oleras]

75+f ......i would be in my birthday suit !! LoL......diving last week off the N.W coast, got a 'tad over 7c, which at a rough estimate~45f....not too bad though, 7mm two piece, B.T of about 40min on both dives to 28m....cant wait for a warm water dive ! you guys are so lucky, although maybe better to dive cold, appreciate a moderate climate all the more !!!!!

 

[Warren_L]

Everyone will be different in their tolerances to water temperatures. I find anything 70F or warmer to be warm enough to wear no exposure protection for up to an hour. Others might disagree, but it seems to be fairly common to have a 3mm for these temperatures. It will also depend on the duration and frequency of your dives as well. Only you will be able to tell for sure.

 

[hanlyb]

What is the consensus on wearing a shorty vs. a full suit for warm water dives? Could a 3mm shorty be used as an inner layer for extra warmth on a cold water dive?

 

[DIVER CE]

I myself started on a semi dry as the temp in the uk is a little cooler. These were made by (northern diver). You might be better talking to a shop that isnt biased about you buying their brand of equipment. When I first started I thought that any dive shop would give you the correct information but boy I was wrong. I was sold the wrong size BCD. My advice is don't be pushed into buying something that you don't really want/like. Try other places you might be suprised!!!!!!!!